 Russian print cover. The subtitle reads "A history of Middle-earth – through the eyes of the Enemy" | |
| Author | Kirill Yeskov |
|---|---|
| Original title | Последний кольценосец |
| Translator | Yisroel Markov |
| Language | Russian |
| Genre | Parallel novel, high fantasy, dark fantasy |
Publication date | 1999 |
| Publication place | Russia |
| Media type | Print (paperback), ebook |
The Last Ringbearer (Russian: Последний кольценосец, romanized: Posledniy kol'tsenosets) is a 1999 fantasy book by the Russian paleontologist Kirill Yeskov. It is a parallel account of, and an informal sequel to, the events of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. It has been translated into English by Yisroel Markov, but the translation has not been printed for fear of copyright action by the Tolkien Estate.
Critics have stated that the book is well-known to Tolkien fans in Russia, and that it provides an alternate take on the story. Scholars have variously called it a parody and a paraquel. They have interpreted it as a critique of totalitarianism, or of Tolkien's anti-modern racial and environmental vision coupled with a destruction of technology which could itself be called totalitarian. The book contains sections of Russian history, and while it says little directly on real-world politics, it can be read as an ironic riposte to American exceptionalism. In 2001 the book earned the Strannik Literary Award in the "Sword in the Stone" (Fantasy) nomination.[1]